Finding easy-to-pack light lunches for the workday can really make a difference, keeping things simple and fun at the same time. We’re here to help you enjoy your lunch break with minimal prep and straightforward ingredients. These 20 recipes are perfect for anyone wanting to spice up their lunch routine without too much hassle, whether you’re at the office or working from home.
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Garlic Butter Chicken Bites are great for packing a flavorful lunch without spending much time in the kitchen. In just 20 minutes, you get tender chicken coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, making your lunch break something to look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
This salad combines chicken, bacon, and jalapeños with a creamy mayo dressing. It’s very easy to make and uses simple pantry staples. You can also prepare it in advance, ensuring you have a delicious and ready-made meal waiting in the fridge for those busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins are a smart pick for anyone looking for a light lunch that’s easy to bring along to work. They take only 30 minutes to make, are packed with protein, and keep you full.
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Broccoli Fritters
These fritters are light and crispy, perfect for when you want something simple and nutritious. You’ll need broccoli florets, Parmesan cheese, and a few kitchen staples to create these patties, and then pan-fry them until crispy. Ready in 35 minutes, they’re great for a quick meal or snack. Serve them on their own or with Greek yogurt, sour cream, or your preferred dipping sauce for added flavor.
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Big Mac Salad
This Big Mac Salad is the perfect workaround for enjoying the taste of a classic burger as a salad. It’s simple to throw together, delicious, and keeps you full, making it a top choice for a great workday lunch that’s both easy to prepare and to pack.
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Bell Pepper Sandwich
In this dish, bell pepper is used as buns. Scoop out the seeds, spread some cream cheese and stone-ground mustard, and add your favorite sandwich fillings like deli meats, bacon, cheese, avocado, and cucumber, and you’re good to go. This sandwich is ready in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick and light meal. Plus, the Everything Bagel Seasoning adds a nice touch, making it a fun alternative to traditional sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Bell Pepper Sandwich
Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
You can whip up these spicy salmon patties in just 30 minutes. They’re made with canned salmon, jalapeños, and cayenne pepper and come with a Lemon Dill Aioli for dipping. This recipe is versatile. You can swap in any canned protein and adjust the spice to suit your taste. It’s perfect for a light meal or as a snack, especially when you’re looking for something easy to make and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Mini Spicy Canned Salmon Patties
Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Ready in just 30 minutes, chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and jalapeños are scooped into fresh cucumber halves for an easy and refreshing lunch. You can even prep them the day before, so you have a quick meal ready to go on hectic days. This dish is perfect for keeping things light while still enjoying a flavorful meal any day.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats
Canned Chicken Patties
Ready in just 20 minutes, these canned chicken patties are a great go-to for a light meal any day of the week. They’re simple to prepare — just mix, form, and cook them on the stovetop until they’re crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Serve them with a fresh salad, some steamed veggies, or even in a sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Canned Chicken Patties
Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Combine cucumbers and red onions in a creamy mix of sour cream, mayo, and dill, and you’ve got a refreshing meal ready in less than an hour. It’s straightforward and delicious, perfect for a light lunch or as a side alongside your choice of protein.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dill Cucumber Onion Salad
Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
In just 10 minutes, you can have these spicy tuna cucumber boats ready. They’re filled with a mix of cream cheese, tuna, Everything Bagel Seasoning, coconut aminos, and hot sauce. This recipe gives you a quick, flavorful, and light meal that’s perfect for when you want something easy and refreshing with a bit of heat. It’s an excellent choice for a simple lunch or a snack that keeps things quick and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Cucumber Boats
Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
These salad jars are packed with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese and dressed in olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Ready in just 10 minutes, they’re a great grab-and-go option any day of the week. Prep them the night before and let the flavors combine in the fridge for a delicious salad ready to eat the next day.
Get the Recipe: Greek Salad Meal Prep Jars
Cauliflower Potato Salad
This version of potato salad uses cauliflower, bacon, and cheese to create a lighter dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor. You can enjoy it chilled, adding a sprinkle of hot sauce and paprika for an extra kick. It’s straightforward to make and serves as a refreshing side that complements any main dish well. This cauliflower salad is perfect for days when you’re looking for something light yet flavorful to add to your meal.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Potato Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Combine chicken, bacon, egg, cheese, and aromatic spices to whip up these flavorful poppers. They’re straightforward to prepare and can be ready to enjoy in about an hour. Simply mix the ingredients, shape them into balls, and bake until golden. Drizzle with ranch dressing for the finishing touch. They’re also freezer-friendly, making them perfect for meal prep or a convenient snack during busy weekdays.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
Avocado Tuna Salad
You only need five minutes to make this salad. This salad brings together the avocado and tuna for a meal that’s both quick and refreshing. With just a few minutes needed to mix everything together, it’s a great last-minute lunch or snack. Chill it in the fridge before serving to let the flavors combine.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad
Zucchini Bites
Combine shredded zucchini with Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and Italian seasoning to make these flavorful bites. They’re a clever way to get more veggies into your meals and are perfect for snacking or as part of a meal. Ready in 30 minutes, these bites are perfect for anyone looking for a straightforward, veggie-packed option that’s easy to enjoy any time of the day.
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Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
Enjoy a quick and refreshing meal with these cucumber boats. The cucumbers provide a crunchy base that pairs well with the creamy and spicy egg salad. This dish is a fantastic pick for a quick lunch or a nutritious snack, easily fitting into your day without requiring much prep time.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Egg Salad Cucumber Boats
Loaded Zucchini Boats
This dish is a lighter take on the classic loaded baked potatoes. Zucchini boats are filled with crispy bacon, shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. They’re perfect for when you’re looking for something that’s flavorful but not too heavy. Ready in less than an hour, these are an excellent option for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Zucchini Boats
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
This recipe puts a new spin on traditional breakfast favorites, assembling them into a handy sandwich form. Skewered for easy handling, you’ll assemble hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and avocado into bite-sized goodies. Ready in just 30 minutes, these sliders are great for those busy mornings (or evenings) when you’re in the mood for a lighter meal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sliders
Keto Chicken Nuggets
These chicken nuggets are perfect for anyone looking for a light meal that doesn’t take much time. Using canned chicken for convenience and coated with a crunchy pork rind breadcrumb mix, they bake up golden and crispy in just 30 minutes. This recipe is a go-to for a quick snack or a light meal, especially when you need something quick and effortless.
Get the Recipe: Keto Chicken Nuggets